Perry Claims Lead Over Malone

Despite a barrage of tough stories questioning his role in strip-search incidents, state representative Jeff Perry holds a 16-point lead over former state treasurer Joe Malone in their GOP primary contest for US Congress, according to an internal poll released by Perry's campaign.

The poll, conducted by Public Opinion Strategies June 16-17 among Republican primary voters in the 10th district, where Democrat Bill Delahunt is not running for re-election, shows Perry taking 41 percent to Malone's 25 percent, with a small portion for other candidates and 30 percent undecided.

Surprisingly, given the controversy that has dogged Perry in the media over his former days as a police officer, the poll shows that 44 percent of Republican primary voters hold a favorable opinion of him, with just 1 percent unfavorable.

One possible explanation: a saint-level 90% favorability rating for Senator Scott Brown, who has endorsed Perry. Perry campaigned actively for Brown throughout the area during the recent special US Senate election, and Perry has heavily touted Brown's endorsement in his race.